Click sighed. “No need to worry.” Worry was pointless.
“Oh, really?” Renata asked, taking two plates. “She hasn’t dated since you. Hasn’t looked at a guy.”
Click’s throat felt tight. Tandy deserved love. He wanted that for her. And yet, even knowing it was wrong, Renata’s words were a massive relief.
“What happened that made her so guarded? Why’d you guys chuck in the towel?” she asked, adding food to each plate. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re not exactly the picture of happiness either.”
He shot her a look.
“I love you guys,” Renata said. “We love you guys. We’ve been too close too long to stand by and watch you two hurt like this.”
“Not that we’re wanting to pry,” Scarlett interjected.
Renata sighed. “I’m fine with prying. Sometimes confronting things is the only way to fix it.”
In this case, confronting things would lead to tears and pain. “Sometimes it’s not,” he offered.
They both stopped and looked at him.
“It would hurt all over again,” he said, his words soft. He glanced across the room to their table. Tandy was up, walking awkwardly, holding Pearl’s hand in hers. His daughter was following Banshee in a slow circle around their table. When Pearl let go of Tandy, Tandy trailed behind her—a smile on her beautiful face. He’d learned to let go of the anger he had. Holding on to something hard and cold was wrong, especially when it came to Tandy. What happened was no one’s fault.
“She’s still hurting,” Renata pushed.
“We both are.” He tried, and failed, to keep the edge from his voice. “There’s no way to fix it, Renata.” He took his laden plate back to the table, shaking off his frustration when Pearl came squealing his way—arms outstretched—for him. He scooped her up, hugging her close. No matter what, he had this precious gift. Pearl loved him and he’d do his damnedest to make sure she always did.
Chapter Seven
“Polly sprained her ankle at the trail ride this morning. And Annette called in sick,” Scarlett pleaded. “We’re shorthanded for the dance lessons.”
Tandy patted Pearl on the back, too smitten with the sleeping baby in her arms to care about her uncle’s latest crisis. She’d done her duty, hosting the kids’ sing-along and helping out with the marshmallows—and cleanup.
“Annette?” Renata asked. “The picture of health we saw at the grocery store this morning?”
Tandy nodded. Unless Annette had been struck with food poisoning, her illness was pretty hard to swallow. Again, not her problem.
Scarlett nodded. “You love dancing anyway, Renata.”
Renata arched an eyebrow. “With men. That aren’t married or teenagers or old and handsy.”
Tandy giggled. “Old and handsy? All of them? Even that one?” She nodded to a rather distinguished-looking older gentleman, sitting stiffly in his chair.
“Especially that one,” Renata agreed.
Tandy and her cousins burst out laughing. Pearl stirred, so Tandy went back to gently patting the baby’s back—glancing Click’s way. He was watching them, all smiles. It was the first time she’d seen him looking relaxed since he got here.
“Tandy?” Scarlett pleaded.
Click looked her way, his gaze probing hers. “I can take her if you need to help your uncle.”
Tandy glared at him. “She’s so peaceful. Moving her might wake her up.”
His grin grew. “Might.”
“I will if Tandy will. She remembers everything. I always just follow you two.” Renata stood, stretching her arms over her head. “Stop hogging the baby and let’s get the show on the road.” She smiled sweetly.
Tandy frowned. “This is not fair. I’m busy.”
Scarlett and Renata both smiled at the sleeping baby